May 2024 Newsletter

Here we are at the end of another school year. To paraphrase T.S. Eliot, “What feels like the end is often just the beginning.” The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching had a remarkable year of providing professional learning for teachers and leaders across the Suncoast Area School Districts. Our commitment to excellence in education and our unwavering dedication to supporting teachers and leaders have been the driving forces behind our success.

Throughout this year, we’ve achieved significant milestones and made a lasting impact on the educational landscape. But our success only fuels our energy for what is around the corner this summer and next school year. Here are some highlights:

1. Professional Learning: Our center has hosted over 60 workshops and seminars in the 2023-2024 school year impacting over 1300 educators. In collaboration with USF faculty and district partners, these valuable learning opportunities have spanned from innovative teaching strategies to leadership development. We are proud to continue to empower teachers to enhance their skills and make a difference in their classrooms.
2. Suncoast Area Teacher Training/Leaders in Education Program: College of Education students advanced their teaching skills as they spent time in collaboration with each other in various SCATT/Leaders in Education events. Also, new this year was the first ever "Joyce Swarzman Leadership Award” given to Reese Kantrowitz, an outstanding SCATT member and next year’s President.
3. Collaborations: Our partnerships with schools, districts, nonprofits, and other USF colleges have been instrumental in advancing teaching and leadership. We are excited to announce a new international partnership with the Institute of Educational Research at Chonnam University in South Korea. Together, we look forward to exploring innovative approaches, sharing best practices, and creating an international supportive network for educators. Read more about this new partnership below.
4. Advanced Placement Summer Institute: APSI continues to be the signature event for the David C. Anchin Center as we welcome hundreds of teachers every summer for advanced study in high school Advanced Placement courses. The impact of APSI is far reaching with teachers coming from all over the USA and other countries.

I encourage you to read below and to explore our website to learn more about our initiatives, events, and impact we’re making in education. The Anchin Center was established to honor and support educators, and today, we continue to fulfill that mission with passion and purpose.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our incredible team, the support of our partners, and the passion of educators across Florida. Thank you for being part of our journey, and here’s to a restful summer!

Sincerely,

David Scanga, Ed.D.

Director and Endowed Chair of Education Innovation

• Spring Professional Learning Highlights
• Anchin Center Forges International Partnership with Chonnam University
• 2nd Annual 5K for K-12 Supports Teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week
  
• Anchin Center Hosts SCATT End-of-Year Banquet
• Summer Professional Learning Preview
• Make a gift to the Anchin Center
• What We're Reading and Watching

We believe that ongoing professional development can enrich teachers’ expertise and experiences. We aim to bring teachers, instructional coaches, and school- and district-based leaders together in collaborative settings to continue to expand and refine the art of teaching.

Professional development at the Anchin Center is aligned with research-based best practices, as well as K-12 state standards in the content areas. Click below to read more about spring professional learning offerings from the Anchin Center.

• Reimagining Literacy Education: Empowering Minoritized Voices and Diverse Perspectives Webinar (May 1, 2024)
• Anchin Center Hosts Workshop on Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogies (April 27, 2024)
• David C. Anchin Center Hosts Webinar on Differentiated and Responsive Literacy Instruction (April 17, 2024)
• Precalculus Workshop hosted by the Anchin Center (April 13, 2024)
• Anchin Center Speaker Series Explores Collaborative Efforts in Education (March 25, 2024)
• Workshop Explores Conservation Laws in High School Physics (March 2, 2024)
• The Anchin Center Co-Hosts Innovation Education Summit (February 27, 2024)
• English Language Arts Educators Empowered Through Poetic Pedagogy Workshop (February 17, 2024)
• Anchin Center Hosts Math by the Bay Summits (February, 2024)
• Anchin Center Hosts Webinar, "The Power of Play: Video Games in Education" (January 31, 2024)
• Crafting Authentic Voices: A Workshop to Elevate Student Writing (January 31, 2024)
• David C. Anchin Center Empowers New Math Educators with Three-Part Series (January 27, 2024)
• Anchin Center Houses New Initiative: Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (January 15, 2024)

The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching at the University of South Florida (USF) and the Institute of Educational Research at Chonnam National University in South Korea have announced an exciting new international partnership. This collaboration aims to create robust professional learning opportunities centered around the cutting-edge fields of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).

Spearheaded by Dr. Sanghoon Park, Associate Professor in the Learning, Design, and Technology program at USF, along with Dr. David Scanga and Dr. Rachel Hatten of the Anchin Center, and Dr. Jeeheon Ryu, Director and Professor in the Department of Education at Chonnam University, this partnership promises to foster innovative educational practices and research.

The Institute of Educational Research at Chonnam National University is dedicated to disseminating educational studies, enhancing innovations in learning and instruction, and providing solutions to social problems. Their current projects support teacher professional learning with a focus on AI, utilizing these advanced technologies to enhance instructional plans. This mission aligns seamlessly with the David C. Anchin Center’s commitment to working with K-12 teachers to restructure schools and improve the quality of education, as well as to enhance the teaching profession to attract and retain capable teachers. Read more...

The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching at the University of South Florida proudly hosted the second annual 5K for K-12, a fundraising event dedicated to supporting K-12 teachers. Held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, during Teacher Appreciation Week, the event drew a crowd of over 250 participants, including Tampa Bay area teachers, students, community members, and education advocates.

The 5K took place on the certified 5K route on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. A highlight of the event was the presence of esteemed guests Laura Meehan, the 2022 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, and Sarah Painter, the 2022 Florida Teacher of the Year. Both educators handed out awards following the race, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the event.

Proceeds from the 5K for K-12 directly benefit the Anchin Center's initiatives to provide quality professional development opportunities for teachers across the state. These opportunities highlight cutting-edge best practices in literacy, STEM, online teaching, and equity, with the goal of making them accessible and free for practicing teachers through fundraising efforts like the 5K for K-12.

The Anchin Center extends its gratitude to all participants, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers for their support in making the event a resounding success. By coming together to support teachers, the community has demonstrated its commitment to advancing education and empowering educators.

The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching hosted a memorable end-of-year banquet and celebration for the Suncoast Area Teacher Training (SCATT)/Leaders in Education Program on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The evening was filled with celebration and reflection, marking the many successes of the SCATT program during the 2023-2024 school year.

The event began with an hour of mingling and networking, where guests enjoyed a variety of heavy appetizers. This provided an excellent opportunity for former SCATT members, alumni, current USF students, SCATT members, University of South Florida faculty, and college leadership to connect and share experiences.

Following the networking session, a 1.5-hour program highlighted the year's achievements. Outgoing SCATT President, USF student Trayana Small (Class of 2024), delivered a heartfelt reflection on the growth and accomplishments of the program over the past year. Her remarks underscored the dedication and hard work of all those involved in SCATT.

One of the evening's highlights was the presentation of the First Annual Joyce Swarzman Leadership Award to incoming SCATT President, Reese Kantrowitz. The award honors Dr. Joyce Swarzman, the former leader of the SCATT program, who was remembered fondly for her passion for education, boundless energy, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of excellent teachers. The impact Dr. Swarzman had on her students and colleagues was evident as her former students and her daughter shared moving testimonials about her legacy. Read more...

Keep up to date with Anchin Center professional learning events by subscribing to our distribution list and following us on social media @USFAnchin. Information about events are shared on a rolling basis as events are finalized. If you have questions about professional learning opportunities at the Anchin Center or are interested in partnering with us, please email Dr. Rachel Hatten.

The Anchin Center hosts the third largest Advanced Placement Summer Institute in the world every year. Registration is open and courses are filling quickly!

The Advanced Placement (AP) Summer Institute, is a College Board endorsed program that provides professional development to AP teachers. Through the Advanced Placement™ program, College Board provides a way for high school students to earn free college credits while taking high school courses. Taking Advanced Placement courses exposes students to college level coursework and begins preparing them to think more critically.

The AP Summer Institute provides teachers the opportunity to learn how to teach their course from College Board-approved consultants. These consultants are experts in their subject areas and work with College Board as AP readers, graders, and table leaders. Not only is this an opportunity to learn directly from College Board experts, but also from other instructors from all over the world! This 4-day intensive training is designed to enhance the AP teacher's skills, ability, and knowledge of their subject regardless of their experience level.

Hosted by the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching, the Advanced Placement Summer Institute at the University of South Florida (USF) offers a unique learning experience for teachers who are interested in expanding their knowledge of AP course content, structure, and methodology. In addition, the workshops afford teachers the opportunity to interact with colleagues and to discuss issues and concerns surrounding the AP courses they will teach.

Imagine a future where every classroom buzzes with the energy of innovation, where teachers are empowered to inspire young minds in new and profound ways. This vision is at the heart of the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and it's supporters like you who bring this dream to life.

Every day, your generosity helps us provide groundbreaking professional development, cutting-edge resources, and research opportunities that shape the educators of tomorrow. But there's more we can do, and that's where we need your help.

Please consider adding your support to foster the next wave of educational excellence. By making a donation today, you join other supporters in creating a legacy of learning that will resonate for generations.

Together, we can ensure that every teacher has the tools to unlock their full potential and, in turn, ignite the limitless curiosity of their students. Thank you for considering a gift to the Anchin Center. Your contribution is more than a donation; it's an investment in a future where education knows no bounds.

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The mission of the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching is to collaborate with teachers, school leaders, districts, and other educators to improve the quality of education for students and to transform the teaching profession to attract, retain, and develop quality educators. We achieve this mission through partnerships with schools, the broader educational community, business and industry, and the community at large.

Email: AnchinCenter@usf.edu
Website: usf.edu/education/anchin
Location: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-974-5959
Facebook: facebook.com/USFAnchin
Twitter: @USFAnchin